A severe Arctic cold front threatens to bring up to 14 inches of snow from late Saturday night to Monday afternoon, impacting northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and southeast New York as the Paterson Diocese braces for the storm.
Diocesan parishes, schools, and agencies are preparing to ensure the safety of the faithful and protect Church property ahead of the anxiety-inducing storm. The Arctic blast is expected to plunge area temperatures into the teens during the day and into the single digits at night. The heaviest snow should fall from Sunday morning into early evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The Paterson Diocese, located in northern New Jersey, issued the following statement to the local faith community before the storm:
“In case of emergency weather conditions, please follow State of New Jersey and local travel recommendations and do not attempt to travel until conditions significantly improve. Please check your local parish website or its social media for Mass livestreaming possibilities and giving options.”
So far, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney has changed one stop on his busy schedule. The opening Catholic Schools Week Mass for the diocese at St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., was moved from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m.
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Some parishes, such as St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J., have added vigil Masses on Saturday for those not comfortable traveling on Sunday due to the weather. St. Joseph’s scheduled an extra vigil Mass at 6:15 p.m., in addition to its regular 5 p.m. vigil Mass. A few parishes cancelled Masses or religious education classes.
In rural Sussex County, N.J., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague “will figure out how to handle” the storm and its aftereffects, said Father Wayne Varga, pastor of both parishes. Usually, they cancel daytime Masses when local schools close or have delayed openings, or use their best judgment. The parishes are 10 miles apart in the diocese’s most northern part, connected by winding roads
“Everybody is traveling from a distance to Mass. The temperature up here is about five degrees colder than the parishes south of us. That makes a difference whether we get snow or rain,” said Father Varga. He added, “The county plows the main roads well — and quickly. I just hope the storm doesn’t cause any power outages. Each storm is different. People are rugged up there. Many have pick-up trucks and SUVs. They’re concerned but take it in stride.”
The 22 diocesan Catholic schools are ready for whatever the storm throws at them, said Mary Baier, the schools superintendent. Depending on the severity of the storm, schools may close or switch to remote learning on Monday. These schools normally close if their local school district closes, she said.
“If we could get through COVID, we can get through anything. We’re prepared for the storm. We are making sure of everything,” Baier said.
However, the storm could impact more CSW events or other school events on Sunday, as it did with the rescheduled Mass with Bishop Sweeney at St. Anthony’s in Hawthorne. St. Gerard Majella School in Paterson has already postponed its open house for Sunday to Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m.
In urban Passaic County, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., will cancel its 650-student Faith Formation classes for Sunday. However, it will hold regular Masses on that day, regardless of the weather. Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, predicts the storm will drive more people to attend its Spanish and English vigil Masses on Saturday.
If snow-plow crews cannot reach St. John’s during the storm, the parish will be ready with shovels and salt for sidewalks and stairs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney still plans to celebrate a Mass for Altagracia at 1 p.m. on Sunday, if he can make it. Msgr. Sylva emphasized that St. John’s top priority is the safety of parishioners. Many travel a great distance for Mass.
On Jan. 21, Richard Ziccardi, the risk manager who oversees the diocese’s Insurance Office, sent a notice to diocesan leaders, cautioning them about the risk of hypothermia and burst pipes due to the impending storm. He said buildings should be heated to 55 degrees or higher to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. He also said all outdoor hoses should be disconnected, and indoor valves that supply outdoor water should be turned off.
“Be safe. Don’t put your life in jeopardy. If the State of New Jersey declares a state of emergency, don’t drive on the roads at all. Many people are scared, but we’ll know more as the storm gets closer,” Ziccardi said.
For the latest updates on storm preparations in the Paterson Diocese, check back with BeaconNJ.org
Diocese of Paterson prepares for massive winter storm to hit area #Catholic –
A severe Arctic cold front threatens to bring up to 14 inches of snow from late Saturday night to Monday afternoon, impacting northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and southeast New York as the Paterson Diocese braces for the storm.
Diocesan parishes, schools, and agencies are preparing to ensure the safety of the faithful and protect Church property ahead of the anxiety-inducing storm. The Arctic blast is expected to plunge area temperatures into the teens during the day and into the single digits at night. The heaviest snow should fall from Sunday morning into early evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The Paterson Diocese, located in northern New Jersey, issued the following statement to the local faith community before the storm:
“In case of emergency weather conditions, please follow State of New Jersey and local travel recommendations and do not attempt to travel until conditions significantly improve. Please check your local parish website or its social media for Mass livestreaming possibilities and giving options.”
So far, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney has changed one stop on his busy schedule. The opening Catholic Schools Week Mass for the diocese at St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne, N.J., was moved from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Some parishes, such as St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, N.J., have added vigil Masses on Saturday for those not comfortable traveling on Sunday due to the weather. St. Joseph’s scheduled an extra vigil Mass at 6:15 p.m., in addition to its regular 5 p.m. vigil Mass. A few parishes cancelled Masses or religious education classes.
In rural Sussex County, N.J., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague “will figure out how to handle” the storm and its aftereffects, said Father Wayne Varga, pastor of both parishes. Usually, they cancel daytime Masses when local schools close or have delayed openings, or use their best judgment. The parishes are 10 miles apart in the diocese’s most northern part, connected by winding roads
“Everybody is traveling from a distance to Mass. The temperature up here is about five degrees colder than the parishes south of us. That makes a difference whether we get snow or rain,” said Father Varga. He added, “The county plows the main roads well — and quickly. I just hope the storm doesn’t cause any power outages. Each storm is different. People are rugged up there. Many have pick-up trucks and SUVs. They’re concerned but take it in stride.”
The 22 diocesan Catholic schools are ready for whatever the storm throws at them, said Mary Baier, the schools superintendent. Depending on the severity of the storm, schools may close or switch to remote learning on Monday. These schools normally close if their local school district closes, she said.
“If we could get through COVID, we can get through anything. We’re prepared for the storm. We are making sure of everything,” Baier said.
However, the storm could impact more CSW events or other school events on Sunday, as it did with the rescheduled Mass with Bishop Sweeney at St. Anthony’s in Hawthorne. St. Gerard Majella School in Paterson has already postponed its open house for Sunday to Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m.
In urban Passaic County, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., will cancel its 650-student Faith Formation classes for Sunday. However, it will hold regular Masses on that day, regardless of the weather. Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, predicts the storm will drive more people to attend its Spanish and English vigil Masses on Saturday.
If snow-plow crews cannot reach St. John’s during the storm, the parish will be ready with shovels and salt for sidewalks and stairs. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney still plans to celebrate a Mass for Altagracia at 1 p.m. on Sunday, if he can make it. Msgr. Sylva emphasized that St. John’s top priority is the safety of parishioners. Many travel a great distance for Mass.
On Jan. 21, Richard Ziccardi, the risk manager who oversees the diocese’s Insurance Office, sent a notice to diocesan leaders, cautioning them about the risk of hypothermia and burst pipes due to the impending storm. He said buildings should be heated to 55 degrees or higher to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. He also said all outdoor hoses should be disconnected, and indoor valves that supply outdoor water should be turned off.
“Be safe. Don’t put your life in jeopardy. If the State of New Jersey declares a state of emergency, don’t drive on the roads at all. Many people are scared, but we’ll know more as the storm gets closer,” Ziccardi said.
For the latest updates on storm preparations in the Paterson Diocese, check back with BeaconNJ.org